Just elected chief and need some advice

In January I was elected into the office by my peers. There was no secret black chiefs book given to me. But if I was given one, what would it say? I also find it difficult not being able to help on the fireground as much, that really bothers me. Advice?

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Permalink Reply by PHILLIP on March 4, 2009 at 11:54pm
Remember you are now a white helmet.Your days of geing a nozzle monkey is over. You were charged by your peers to keep your personnel safe and you can't do that from inside. Just remember where you came from and be firm but fair. Decisions you make are now as the BOSS.
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on March 5, 2009 at 1:54am
Paul, why wouldnt you be able to help on the fireground? Your the Fire Chief not the Mayor. You need to lead your Crew and understand that they elected you and you need to take charge and do just that. Be a leader. Bro, I still put on the SCBA, pull hose, go into burning buildings and in general do all the things my firefighters do when I get the chance. Of course I am the Chief and I am paid well to be that. But being a leader and Chief is important. That role is also earned. They elected you because they felt you would be a good leader and Chief. Dont let them down Bro. Give it all you've got. You'll do fine.
Permalink Reply by Paul Kerp on March 5, 2009 at 4:25am
Do the job the way you were before being elected Chief, they felt you were the right person for the job, so the hard part is over. You have to be quick to beat our Chief to the door.
Paul just do the job the way you were before, it will all fall in place on its own.

Be Safe
Permalink Reply by Beverly on March 5, 2009 at 9:08am
Congrats! First thing, take a deep breath, then exhale slowly...you're in charge now.

1. Lead by example. If you are calm and confident then so goes the scene. If you as chief panic, all (including lives) is lost. If you want people to show up at training, meetings, drills, etc. than you must be there too. If you want eveyone to wear proper PPE, remember you are part of everyone.

2. Be respectful. If you are respectful, even when you disagree, you show the rest of the dept that respect is just as mandatory as training. That doesn't mean get pushed around, but don't denegrate even the most unusual suggestions, even if they come from the "newbie".

3. Be the kind of leader you would look up to. If you hold yourself to high (not unrealistic) standards you will pull up the standards of those around you.

4. Forgive yourself. Sometimes we all make the wrong decision.

5. Learn from your mistakes. The only bad mistake is one we do not learn from and therefore repeat.

6. Don't take yourself too seriously. You are still just a human being...Chief is still lower on the pecking order than God.

7. Smile. If you cannot enjoy the job, than it isn't for you. That doesn't mean there won't be days you want to scream, cry,quit, hide under the bed....just don't let those days outnumber the good ones.

8. Remember. Remember that you are still a husband, Dad, friend, son, brother and those people still need you.

9. Assistant Chiefs. That is what they are for, to assist you. Put trust in their abilities, they need to learn, to gain experience because one day they too will be chief.

10. You are a teacher. Operate under the idea that every situation is a teaching/learning experience. Sometimes you will find that you will learn while you are teaching.

11. Be available. If the members of your dept know they can come to you it will make communication much easier and cut down on the "behind the back" griping.

Keep in mind that on the fireground you are the IC, get yourself a hula hoop, drop it on the ground and stay inside it. That is where you operate from. All too soon your term as chief will be over and you can be a hose jockey once again.

Good Luck
Permalink Reply by John on March 5, 2009 at 9:28am
My sentiments exactly be the Chief you would want to work for.
Permalink Reply by Asst Chief Tim Cook on March 6, 2009 at 7:47pm
Take care of your people.Get them what they need to do the job,provide proper training. Give out the Attaboys(or girls) when they're due. Praise 'em when they do well and don't beat them up too bad when they don't. Be ever watchful over them when they're working,do your best to keep them out of harm's way.

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